Banking, finance, and taxes

5 Reasons Why You Should Use an Accountant vs. Tax Software

Kathryn Koehler

Published: April 12, 2024 9:30 am

Preparing your annual tax return can feel like untangling a nest of angry hornets. Adding, then subtracting, number upon number buzzing around in your head, each deduction a potential sting, until you’re ready to throw in the towel. From deciphering arcane tax codes to scrambling to meet filing deadlines, the experience of wrestling with taxes is a turbo-charged pain. The good news? There’s an alternative to that turbo-charged headache: Tax accountants. Hiring a professional accountant alleviates most of the pain and drama of tax prep. Continue reading to discover 24/7 Wall St.’s list of 5 reasons why you should use an accountant vs. tax software.

1. Time

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• According to the IRS, the average American spends 13 hours preparing their tax return.

Time Is Money

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There goes your weekend. Hope you didn’t have plans. According to the IRS, the average U.S. citizen spends 13 hours- the equivalent of nearly two full work days- preparing their tax return. Beyond the expenditure of your time are the associated challenges of filing your taxes. Why put yourself through the mental gymnastics of DIY tax prep when you can hire an accountant? Especially when the expense will be less than two days of lost work or the cancellation of your weekend fun? The average U.S. taxpayer spends $323.00 for professional tax preparation, divided by 13, that comes to $24.80/hour. Now, calculate what your time is worth. If it’s more than 24.80 an hour?  Leave your taxes to a professional, while you enjoy your weekend!

2. Better Software Options

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• Professional accounting software is superior to the software available to consumers.

Hiring an Accountant Makes Cents

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With dozens of software programs available to help consumers with tax preparation, simply choosing one is potentially time-consuming and headache-inducing. And that’s before you even get down to business. The reality is that professional accounting software is superior to consumer tax software. The primary differences between the two lie in their complexity, support resources, and cost. Professional accounting tax software is designed for accounting professionals who require advanced features and support for handling complex tax situations and multiple clients. Consumer tax software is geared toward the needs of individual taxpayers with simple tax needs. Accountants invest thousands of dollars in the software that they use to prepare tax returns. This translates to, fingers crossed, more deductions and a grander return.

3. Your Future

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• Tax accountants can help you navigate your future with their knowledge of estate planning and taxes.

Your Future and Theirs

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Your weekend plans (see #1)? They won’t wait. They grow up fast. Since you’ve already opted for the accountant to save your weekend, take full advantage of their skillset and expertise. Tax accountants help you prepare for the future by providing strategic tax planning and financial advice tailored to your specific circumstances. They can help you anticipate and mitigate potential tax liabilities, and plan for major life events like retirement or education expenses. By analyzing your current financial situation, tax accountants can identify opportunities for tax optimization and wealth accumulation that align with your long-term objectives. Because those long-term objectives grow up fast. 

4. Human Factor

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• Leaving society to algorithms will be like leaving healthcare to stethoscopes. –Abhijit Naskar

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From cashiers to customer service representatives, the human factor is disappearing. Why not add tax prep to the list? One word: judgment. A human accountant offers several advantages over a software program when it comes to preparing taxes, and their ability to use their best judgment based on each client’s financial situation and goals is paramount. Human accountants can factor in individual circumstances and preferences, which software programs cannot replicate. Human accountants can address client concerns and questions with empathy and understanding, heretofore unmatched by any software program. If you’re still not certain that an accountant is the way to go, number 5 on our list of reasons why you should use an accountant vs. tax software should convince even the most skeptical holdouts. 

5. The Audit

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• 1/200: Your chances of being audited by the IRS

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Being audited is a stressful and daunting experience. The process typically requires gathering extensive documentation and providing explanations for discrepancies or questionable items in your tax return. It can be time-consuming and may require taking time away from work or family commitments. However, with proper professional preparation, many audits can be resolved quickly and without penalty. And having an accountant in your corner throughout your audit? Priceless.